Great Books on Leadership

You know I love to read. It's a great way to learn new things. Reading books on the topic of leadership can help you develop and strengthen your skills. Not only that but books for leaders can inspire you, motivate you, and even boost your productivity. But if you’re not sure which leadership books to read, here are some of my favorites…


Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek

Leaders Eat Last is a wonderful peek into the world of servant leadership. By focusing on serving their team, smart leaders create rich and fulfilling workplaces. They value new ideas and respect viewpoints that differ from their own.

Simon wrote this book after being inspired by the military. On seeing that the high-ranking officers ate after the new recruits, he realized the concept could be applied to the business world, too. This incident made him focus on the importance of serving and protecting your followers.

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell

The author believes that “born” leaders are rare. He believes that everyone can be a leader no matter what their occupation or personality type. His book focuses on helping people develop the traits they need to become exceptional leaders.

In Developing the Leader Within, you’ll discover leadership principles that you can apply to every area of your life—your company or business, your family, your church, or your ministry. At just 256 pages, this book is short and easy to read. It’s packed with wisdom and knowledge that will help you blossom into a true leader.

Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute

Leadership and Self-Deception is told through a fictional character’s experiences at work and home. As he learns more about his own motivations, his conflicts at his company and in his marriage improve.

This book emphasizes the way leaders treat their people, encouraging them to focus on others. Rather than using leadership to control others, you’ll learn real strategies for influencing and impacting those around you.

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. By Brené Brown

It takes bravery and courage to step up and lead others. It’s not about having the right answers but a willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and learn with those you’re eager to serve.

In Dare to Lead, Brené uses fresh examples, new research, and powerful stories to illustrate each chapter. While you can use this book to improve your leadership skills at your job, it’s also filled with nuggets that are sure to help you lead at home, too.

Reading books on leadership is like having a mentor to guide you. You’ll develop your skills faster and enjoy the journey more, thanks to the wisdom of those who have gone before you.

How To Lead With Grace And Grit

Several years ago, I left a network marketing company that I had been with for years to move to another one...and I took a large portion of my team with me. I thought I knew what I was getting into. But it wasn't long after the move that I began noticing serious problems. The company had originally seemed like a fabulous company to be part of, but as time went on it began seeming more and more like a pyramid scheme.

In the beginning, the products were ones that I was proud to represent. Cell phone plans with most of the major carriers. Nutritional supplements that actually worked. Identity theft protection with one of the leaders in the industry. All at reasonable prices. The comp plan was solid. Making sales was easy. Recruiting was a snap. Many people joined just so they could get a better deal on their phone plans. Everything was okay. My team was growing their business. Then everything changed and the complaints started coming in.

I was shocked as slowly the initial products were no longer offered and instead were being replaced with things that had little to no value. The focus shifted from product sales to recruitment. People who had signed up as customers stopped buying. Recruitment became more and more difficult because no one was making any money except those of us with large downlines that hadn't been hit too badly by attrition...yet. But I new it was only a matter of time before my most loyal team members got frustrated and left. I knew that I had to step up and do something drastic if I was going to keep their trust and respect. I reached out to a mentor who advised me to take four important steps:

Evaluate What Went Wrong

As soon as you notice an issue—whether at work or at home—it’s best to take a step back and figure out what went wrong. This isn’t about assigning blame or looking for a scapegoat. Instead, your focus should be on getting to the root of the problem.

I did this by researching complaints against the company. I found that while everything had been good, the founder of the company ran it exclusively. It was only after he became seriously ill and turned control over to other parties that problems arose.

Pay the Price

Once you know what the issue is, you need to find a way to make things right. Think about who was hurt by your actions. Then brainstorm possible solutions by asking yourself, “What would delight my customers/employees/family/team?”

Sometimes, all that’s needed is a quick apology and a correction. For example, if you sent out an email to customers that gave them the wrong link, then a new email with an apology and the right link is more than enough.

But for bigger issues, like a shopping cart that breaks down, offer a little incentive to customers who complained. This can be as simple as a 25% off coupon for their next purchase.

Acknowledge What Happened

Part of being a leader is calling out yourself or your organization when you’re wrong. Don’t be afraid that doing this will hurt your image—just the opposite usually happens. That’s because people like employees, customers, and other brands respect leaders that acknowledge the truth.

So go ahead and make a formal announcement. You don’t have to call a press conference but do talk about what happened. Make it public knowledge and share what went wrong, what caused the issue, and what you’ll do to make it right.

I set up a conference call for my team and explained what had I had discovered. I told them that in my opinion, the company was no longer legitimate and that I felt it was just a matter of time before they found themselves in legal trouble. I offered to find us a new home and promised to do everything in my power to help them rebuild if they would trust me one more time. I acknowledged that perhaps I had been too quick to leave our previous company where we had been earning reliable income for the promise of a quicker path to wealth.

Create a Plan

Put on your problem-solving cap and think about how you can prevent this issue from happening in the future. For example, if the videos in your course were low-quality, then you could add a note to your pre-sales checklist to double-check the video resolution before you go live.

It’s easy to lead when everything is going well. But leaders aren’t made during the easy moments—they’re developed during hard moments and bumpy roads. If you’re facing difficulties at home or at work, don’t give up. Lean into these experiences and let them make you a better leader.

For those of you wondering, we did indeed, find a new home. Much of my team made the switch with me and we did rebuild much of what we had lost. I did lose some in the process, but we are all still connected. Who knows, they may even jump back into the biz some day. I recently got hardcore back into it! Most importantly, I retained the trust and respect of the people I had worked with for so many years.

Oh...and the company? They were eventually shut down by the FTC as an illegal pyramid scheme. Looks like that time I made the right call!

What is Leadership?

When I first moved to Arkansas, I spent much of my spare time volunteering with an annual women's conference sponsored by the University of Arkansas. One year when the conference chair quit unexpectedly, I stepped up to keep the conference running. I handled the publicity, organized the programs and special events, worked with the speakers and recruited even more volunteers to keep the conference going.

Still, I was shocked the following year when everyone just assumed I was now the conference chair. I had never considered myself the leader and the thought made me a little uncomfortable. I wondered if I was equipped to fully handle such a large event. But it seems I had already been designated the leader, simply because I stepped in when others wouldn't.

Leadership Isn’t Being Bossy

Some people have a mental image of a leader as the person who sits behind an oak desk and demands their employees or volunteers do all the heavy lifting. They’re available to take the bows…but not share in the workload.

While it’s true that managers like this do exist, they aren’t truly leaders. Leaders get in the trenches with their people, inspire them with a bigger vision and encourage them where needed.

Leadership Starts with Your Life

Your first leadership role is being the leader of your own life. Embracing leadership starts with owning responsibility for what shows up in your life rather than playing the victim or running a constant blame game. 

No matter what happens in your life, you're in charge of doing something about it. It doesn't matter who's to blame for a situation or event. It’s on you to take ownership and determine what happens next.

Leadership Leans in to Listen

When some people think of leadership, they think of billionaire CEOs issuing memos and creating new regulations from a great distance away. But the best leaders aren’t distant beings who are far removed from the day-to-day lives of their team members, employees, volunteers, or students.

The best leaders take the time to listen to their followers. They’re willing to hear feedback—even if that feedback is negative. They can respond to criticism without retaliating later and they can separate their vision from their feelings.

Leadership Loves People

The most effective leaders love their people. They genuinely want to see them succeed and try to make sure they have the tools they need. They don’t just see a team member or volunteer as another cog in the machine.

Instead, they care about helping those around them become the best version of themselves. This means they inspire others by building them up and believing in them. They encourage growth and support it when their followers take smart risks.

 

Leadership can mean different things to different people. The more you get clear on what leadership looks like to you, the easier it will be to lean into your values and honor those who are working with you.

Do You Have The Personality of a Leader?

When you think of a leader, what image comes to mind? Is it the high-powered executive who always completes her projects on time and supervises an amazing team? Is it the author and speaker who runs a national organization?

Do you imagine these people are vastly different from you? Do you assume they have leadership personalities? It’s easy to believe that but it’s not always true. Here are a few surprising facts about leadership that you may not have considered…

 

Fact #1: Introverts Can Be Leaders

There’s a big myth that all leaders are people-loving extroverts. If you’re not familiar with the term, an extrovert is an outgoing person that finds interacting with others energizing. By contrast, an introvert often feels that interactions are draining and needs recovery time after lengthy social situations.

But many famous leaders were introverts. One of the most well-known introvert leaders was Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a quiet child who lost her parents at a young age. But she went on to become a passionate (and vocal!) supporter of many important causes including The League of Women Voters.

 

Fact #2: Gentle Spirits Can Be Leaders

Some people don’t like the idea of being leaders because they’ve only seen examples of authoritarian leadership. These leaders tell their followers what to do and expect it to be done simply because they said so. Many military systems rely on authoritarian leadership.

If you have a nurturing spirit or highly value community input, this style of leadership probably doesn’t appeal to you. But that’s not the only way to lead—there are plenty of leaders that quietly guide their followers with kindness and compassion. They embrace feedback and invite others to journey with them.

 

Fact #3: Big Thinkers Can Be Leaders

It’s easy to assume that the best leaders are Type-As who organize every moment of their days. While it’s true that those with administrative traits can be leaders, it doesn’t mean that there’s not room at the table for your gifts!

If you’re a creative who thinks about the big picture, you’re already leadership material. Leaders inspire and motivate their followers to come on board and pursue exciting, new adventures. You do this naturally! Your ability to chase your dreams can be a huge asset to any organization or brand you work with.

 

Too often, people look at who they are and decide they can’t possibly lead others. But the truth is that you can shape your leadership style around your strengths. You can intentionally cultivate the leadership skills you need to become a leader.

 

It does take work and effort. You may need to learn new communication methods, experiment with different leadership styles, or work with a coach. But whatever you do, don’t give up. Leaders like you are needed!

Are Leaders Born or Developed?

I didn't start out as a take-charge leader who expected everyone to follow me. I was too busy trying to go unnoticed.

When I was young, my mom told me that some people are born leaders and some people are born followers. And that I was a follower.

I carried these words with me for years. Then I joined the Navy. And my life changed forever.

I have always been good at tests. So passing advancement exams was not difficult and I made rank fairly quickly. But the higher up you get, the more responsibility you are expected to assume. And so the day came when I was offered the chance to become a Communications Watch Officer, responsible for running an entire watch section,

Why You Might Be a Leader

I have to admit I struggled with the decision, worried that I didn’t know how to lead others. But this isn't like a job interview. You really don't get to say no thanks. And after a few days, it became apparent that my mom was right. No one on my watch section thought I could do the job. I went along with whatever the other CWO's said, whether I thought it was the right thing to do or not. It wasn't long before I was relieved of that position.

Maybe you can relate to my experience. You’ve always assumed that leaders are just born that way. You might say things like, “Oh, nobody would listen to my thoughts. I’m not the take-charge type. I’m too shy and quiet to be a leader.”

Why Leadership Styles Matter

Sometimes, it’s not the fact that you’re not a leader that holds you back. It’s the belief that leaders must behave in certain ways. For example, when you think of leader, you may think of someone that comes in and barks orders at others, like a drill sergeant. This was my leadership style at the time. I mean, I was in the military after all. Wasn't that what was expected? Besides I was one of the few women on the watch at the time. Didn't I have to be as tough as the men in order to gain their respect?

While that’s one way to lead, it’s not the only way. There can be many styles of leadership. Some leaders are democratic, meaning they don’t just make decisions alone. They invite others into the process with them, carefully weighing feedback from their followers.

Other leadership types include transformational leaders. These leaders inspire and motivate people set and achieve BIG goals. They’re often visionaries who can predict trends and patterns before they become mainstream. They share their vision with others but they prefer to avoid the messy day-to-day details.

Why You Should Lead

Fortunately, my story ended well. I was soon transferred to another command where I met an amazing female lieutenant. She saw something in me and gave me another chance, this time as an Assistant Special Security Officer. But she didn't just throw me out there and let me sink. She guided and mentored me. She showed me I didn't have to be "one of the guys" to earn their respect. Under her guidance, I realized I could be a leader—and a good one—without having to use the same bossy techniques others did. Instead of micromanaging everything, I preferred a more laissez-faire approach. I wanted to be hands-off as much as possible, trusting my team to do their jobs correctly after they’d gone through training. I wanted to guide and mentor them as my lieutenant had done for me, not stand over them with a whip and a chair, barking commands.

Just as different personality types make the world interesting, different leadership styles do, too. There’s no wrong or right way to lead.

In fact, some of the best leaders practice situational leadership—that is, they select a leadership style based on what’s needed at the time. If others are slacking off and not getting the work done, these leaders will become autocratic leaders, making sure that tasks are completed correctly and on time. And if you don't believe that's possible, just ask some of the people who have worked for me!

I listened to my lieutenant and began studying leadership. The more I learned about the different styles, the more confident I became that I could lead effectively.

 

I spent an entire career in the Navy. I even had a chance to serve as a CWO once again. I never forgot what I had learned about leadership. I took those skills with me into civilian life. I have successfully led everything from conference planning committees to 1500 Girl Scout volunteers to Food Safety and Quality Assurance Departments to Network Marketing teams. And never once did I ever doubt I could manage it successfully.

 

And to LT Terri Roberts, thank you! I couldn't...no that's wrong.  I WOULDN'T have done it without you.